The Chetzemoka

Original Name: Golden Poppy   Official Number: 226687 Radio Call Letters: WH7379   Built: Alameda, CA 1927. Length: 239' 11"  Beam:60' 3"   Draft: 11' Auto Deck Clearance: 12' 6" Speed:10 knots Horsepower:1,200 Propulsion: Diesel Electric (DC) Autos: 50  Passengers:400   Gross Tonnage: 779 Name Translation: Named for a friendly Native American cheif in what is now Port Townsend Drawing courtesy of Johan Iversen.

The Chetzemoka like all the other ferries in the fleet advertised the World's Fair in 1961-62.  Author's collection.

Arriving on Puget Sound on 26 May, 1938 was the Golden Poppy. One of four near sister ferries recently put out of work on San Francisco Bay, Black Ball sent the all-wood ferry into the yard at Eagle Harbor.         Recondtioned, repainted and renamed, the ferry emerged with the name  Chetzemoka. As the name was honoring a friendly Native American cheif in the Port Townsend area, it was only fitting that Black Ball  sent her to work on the Port Townsend-Edmonds run.       From 1938 until  1947 the Chetzy as her name was often shortened to, worked the Port Townsend route until she was moved over the the Columbia Beach-Mukilteo run.  She stayed on the route as the main ferry until WSF took over ferry operations.       In 1954, the Chetzemoka lost her status as the number one vessel on the Mkilteo route when the   recently acquired Olympic was moved to the route.  The paring of the two vessels lasted seven years until the Rhoododenron was added to the route, sending the  Chetzemoka to reserve status.  She then only worked on weekends and as supplimental service during the summers.       In 1962 the Chetzemoka became the only "Wood Electric Class" to work in the San Juan Islands.  For the summers of 1962-64 , t the vessel sailed the Anacortes-San Juan Islands route..  In the fall of 1965 she was moved back to the Mukilteo run for extra service.  From then on out she divided her time between the Mukilteo-Clinton route and the Kingston-Edmonds route, helping out on weekends with the traffic overflow.         Her last season came in 1973, when she worked as the "Sunday Only" ferry on the Vashon route.  On Labor Day of 1973, she made her last run.  The cost of  hull caulking, keeping  the dryrot at bay and  her minimal car capacity spelled her end.  She was sold in 1975 for $16,000.00 to a California investor who planned to give the Chetzemoka her old name and turn her into a shopping center moored along the San Francisco waterfront.       Under tow to California in heavy seas in the spring of 1977, the Chetzemoka's hull sprung a leak.  The pumps were unable to keep up, and after several hours the ferry slipped beneath the waves.  She lies there still, 9 miles off the coast near La Push, in 235 feet of water.

At work for the Southern Pacific-Golden Gate Ferry company, the Golden Poppy would work much longer on Puget Sound.  Author's collection.

Looking rather plain in Black Ball livery, the Chetzemoka complete another run.  Author's collection.

The Chetzemoka looked particularly sharp in WSF livery.   Author's collection.

Sunset Magazine misidentifies two ferries in this caption.  While it is the Chetzemoka leaving Orcas, it appears the deck the photographer is standing on is wooden, making it the Vashon, , while the vessel approaching at left is most assuredly a Steel Electric--likely the Klickitat. Author's collection.

Retired Fleet to the   KLAHANIE HOME

The tank farm dominates the scene in the 1950's when this photo was taken.  Much has changed at Mukilteo over the years, and WSF is looking to move the dock further north to deal with the traffic problems caused by the dock's current location.  Author's collection.

The next book for the author?  Possibly, but it is unlikely that after 30 years on the ocean floor that there is much left of the old ferry.  Photo by the author.